Both sides have to agree that no matter what gets cut, the budget at the end of this process must be passed.

Democrats propose an additional $30 billion in spending cuts from the budget proposal that they negotiated with Boehner.

Republicans propose an additional $30 billion in spending cuts from the budget proposal that Obama negotiated with Boehner.

Democrats go through the Republican’s proposals and can remove up to $15 billion of spending cuts.

Republicans go through the Democrat’s proposals and can remove up to $15 billion of spending cuts.

Basically, $30 billion gets cut. The Democrats would cut things that the Republicans care about, and the Republicans would cut things that the Democrats care about. Then both sides get to save things they care most about.

This plan is pretty simple, but I think this plan would favor the Republican agenda. Democrats would like to raise taxes on the rich or at least close tax loopholes, which are attempts to increase revenue. Republicans like to cut spending. Since this plan only cuts spending, it’s really more of a Republican thing.

Maybe a revised plan can give the Democrats up to $30 billion of tax increases or spending cuts and the Republicans can only get some combination of cutting $15 billion of tax increases or removing up to $15 billion of spending cuts.